Consistency continues to elude the Indians even now in mid-June. Just when it looked like they were getting locked into a groove after sweeping their last home stand and taking two out of three in Texas, they have suddenly lost their way once again in Kansas City and now Boston. Join the IBI's Jake Dungan as he recaps the Tribe's third straight loss and gives an update on the team's potential All-Star representatives.

Nights like Clint Frazier had on Thursday have not come as frequently as we would like for the center fielder so far in 2014, but while Frazier is struggling a bit this year, putting up big stats this season is not the real goal. It is more important right now for Frazier to learn about the grind that is the minor league season, just like another top prospect a few years ago with. Join Jim Piascik as he explains Frazier's situation in more detail, breaks down Carlos Moncrief's recent surge, and much more as he takes you Around the Farm.

Happy Friday! In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andrew Zajac will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on a few trade rumors, an update on draft signings, a loophole in Yu Darvish's contract, and more.

Another draft is in the books and it’s time for IBI draft guru Jeff Ellis to review the draft in whole and shape up his thoughts and ideas on the draft this year. He gives his thoughts on this draft as a whole and particularly the top 12 selections in the draft and also makes note of some players beyond the top 12 that he likes and hopes the Indians sign.

The Lake County Captains (24-42) split a 4-4 week, including a sweep of a rain makeup double-header June 5. The team managed to keep most games tight, except for June 6, which resulted in a 14-4 blowout loss. The team remains the worst-hitting squad in the league and the pitching sits among the bottom half of the Midwest League, but they're finding small ways to win. The IBI's Stephanie Metzger recaps the Captains' previous week.

The Akron RubberDucks won a series at New Britain, taking two out of three from the Rock Cats. The team then lost two out of three to the Senators in Harrisburg. Tuesday, the team was swept in a double-header by the Binghamton Mets. Akron has now dropped five of their last nine games. The IBI's Spencer Davies recaps the week that was for Akron in his latest notebook...

After impressing in Texas the Indians two two steps back in Kansas City losing both games and not looking good in doing so. The poor hitting, struggles against lefties, and sloppy defense returned, and it all added up to a quick two-game sweep at the hands of the Royals. The IBI's Michael Goodman provides his second thoughts on the game...

In another big signing update, the IBI's Tony Lastoria provides updates on 10 players the Indians selected in the 2014 MLB Draft. He notes Justus Sheffield's travel plans and signing status, negotiations with Sam Hentges, the signing of another four players, one player who is transferring to another school and likely won't sign, and much more!

Nick Swisher and the energy he brings to everything he does was back in Canal Park Wednesday for the second straight night as the first baseman continued his rehab assignment. After a bit of a down game Tuesday, Swisher looked the part of a major leaguer, lining two doubles and totaling three hits. Jim Piascik was there Wednesday and spoke with Swisher, along with other coaches and players, about the state of his knee and how ready the first baseman is to rejoin the big league roster. Join Jim as he details Swisher's night and recaps the rest of the action in the system as he takes you Around the Farm.

No matter how bad the Red Sox are doing at any point in a season, playing Boston in Boston is a tough series. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the Pirates losing another starter to the disabled list, Nick Swisher's probable return to the Tribe, and more.

This was by far one of the most exciting drafts the Indians have had in recent years, both by the anticipation of what they would do with their top picks and who they actually ended up picking in the top rounds of the draft. The IBI's Tony Lastoria provides his thoughts on what the Indians did, insight into some philosophy changes they made going in, comments on several different players and lots more.

As a difficult first half draws to a close, the Carolina Mudcats will not quit fighting to the very end. The Mudcats took three of five from the Winston Salem Dash in a home-and-home series before heading back to Zebulon to take on the Potomac Nationals, from whom they split the first two games of a series to improve to 4-3 on the week. The IBI's Zachary Francis recaps the week that was and features righty D.J. Brown...

In another big signing update the IBI's Tony Lastoria continues to dig around for information and talk to players and people connected to them to acquire signing information. In today's update he provides information on why the signing of some picks has been delayed, notes SEVEN new players who have either signed or expressed their interest to 100% sign, and much more.

The Cleveland Indians lost to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night by a score of 9-5. The game was largely out of hand, though the Indians tried to creep back in by scoring five runs in the final two innings. The IBI's Charlie Adams provides his second thoughts on the game and reviews a key moment between Corey Kluber and Eric Hosmer.

In what might be the longest ATF column ever to grace the webpages of IBI, the IBI's Arthur Kinney takes you Around the Farm for a night that included a doubleheader in Akron and a gargantuan offensive explosion by the Clippers. Strap yourself in and get ready for a long ride Around The Farm...

The Indians play of late is setting us up for a fun summer. In this MLB News and Notes segment, the IBI's Andy Nichols will be giving occasional reports on the latest news and rumors throughout the MLB. Today's piece focuses on the punishment handed down to Manny Machado, the Indians locking up a high round draft pick, and more.

We continue on with our post-draft coverage here at the IBI with information on the new Indians draft picks from the very people who have been watching and reporting on them for months: the scouts. The IBI's Tony Lastoria has contacted over a dozen scouts in the game to provide comments on over a third of the picks the Indians made and provides them all in his latest article.

Here is episode number six this season of "IBI on Site", a new exciting project here at the IBI. In this week's show we go back on site to Low-A Lake County as host Hayden Grove sits down and interviews two of the Captains three All Stars in catcher Eric Haase and right-handed pitcher Jordan Milbrath on camera. He also recaps the recently completed Indians draft and gets us up to date on how some players from the 2013 Draft are doing.

Our new bi-weekly format of Smoke Signals continues tonight at 11:00pm ET. In tonight's show IBI draft guru Jeff Ellis joins Smoke Signals regular Tony Lastoria to recap the Indians 2014 Draft and provide thoughts and insight into what the Indians accomplished. Also, they will also have an on-air interview with 16th round pick and newly signed right-handed pitcher J.P. Feyereisen to talk about how the draft process went for him, his pro career getting started and much more.

Yesterday the IBI's Tony Lastoria provided signing updates on 19 of the Indians 42 draft picks from the 2014 MLB Draft. He has since been busy contacting people and today provides updates on 12 players, with four of them officially signed and four more who say they will sign. Four of the updates are on top 10 round picks and another four are on top 20 rounders.

Available IBI Books

The 2014 Cleveland Indians Baseball Insider book featuring the Indians' Top 100 Prospects and more is now available. Also, previous editions from 2008-2012 are also available at a discounted rate. Just click on the book image for more information. Thanks again for all the support!